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Protecting Your Phones And Gadgets At The Beach

BOSTON (CBS) – It may be great on a hot day, but the beach can be tough on your electronics. There are all kinds of fancy gadgets you can buy to protect your phone, e-reader or tablet, but Consumer Reports found a simple zip-top plastic bag from the grocery store works just as well. There are, however, a couple of things to consider.

First, bag your gadget before you leave the house so you are not fumbling with it on the beach. Don’t take the device out of the bag until you get home. That way you are can avoid contact with the sand and sunscreen. Also, be sure to replace the bag often so sand doesn’t accumulate inside.

Sand and water are not the only problems; sun and hot temperatures can also cause damage. Paul Reynolds, electronics editor of Consumer Reports, recommends keeping your phone in the shade or even an insulated container if possible. “95 degrees to 100 degrees is sort of the max that you should be looking at,” he said.

If your phone does get wet, turn it off and keep it off overnight. Resist the urge to use a hairdryer, which could melt the components inside. Your best insurance policy is a backup SIM card so you don’t risk losing all of the data stored on your phone.